Filing for federal, state, local offices begins today

WORLAND — The filing period for federal, state, county and municipal offices begins today (Thursday, May 14) and ends May 29.

Candidates for federal and state offices should file at the Secretary of State’s office, county and precinct committee office candidates should file at the Washakie County Clerk’s office and mayor and council candidates file at City Hall.

The cost to file is $25. There is no cost to file for precinct committee offices.

This year, there are two federal offices that are open, including U.S. Senate, currently held by Sen. Mike Enzi who is not seeking re-election. Several candidates have declared, including former U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis.

Rep. Liz Cheney has declared her intent to seek a second term as Wyoming’s lone representative in the U.S. House.

Sen. John Barrasso’s seat in the Senate is not up for election this year.

At the state level, all state House representatives are up, as they are every two years. Rep. Mike Greear of Worland has announced his intention to seek re-election to House District 27, representing Washakie County and part of Big Horn County.

State House District 28 Rep. John Winter of Thermopolis said earlier that he plans to seek a second term to his district, which includes Hot Springs County and part of Big Horn County. Levi Shinkle of Thermopolis has announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination for the seat.

State Senator Wyatt Agar (R-Thermopolis) has opted not to seek a second term to Senate District 20. Two Republican candidates have already announced, Ed Cooper of Ten Sleep and Linda Weeks of Basin.

At the county level there is just one position open this year, one county commissioner seat, with a four-year term. Aaron Anderson announced last month he plans to seek another term.

WORLAND

For municipal races in Worland, Mayor Jim Gill has announced his intention to seek his second four-year term.

There are five council seats up this year. There is a two-year term in Ward 1, held by Kenneth Shearer; a four-year term in Ward 1 held by Keith Gentzler; two four-year terms in Ward 2 held by Kody Demunbrun and Mandy Horath; a two-year seat for Ward 3 held by Caleb Vigil and a four-year seat in Ward 3 held by Mike Neufer.

A map of the ward boundaries can be found at the City of Worland website.

Shearer, Demunbrun and Vigil have all been appointed to the council within the past year.

Filing is also open for nine pairs of Republican Precinct Committeemen and Committeewomen, two-year terms; and five pairs of Democratic Precinct Committeemen and Committeewomen, two-year terms.

Applications for county offices are available on the county website at http://www.washakiecounty.net, under the Clerk tab and then under the Voting tab.

The primary election is Tuesday, Aug. 18 and General Election is Nov. 3.

ABSENTEE VOTING

According to County Clerk Mary Grace Strauch, if you are currently registered to vote, you will receive in the near future a flyer from the Secretary of State’s office that will allow you to absentee vote for both elections.

“We are emphasizing an all absentee election due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the fact that we will be social distancing and the amount of election judges and people that will be able to be allowed into the voting area at one time is going to be very, very limited. I strongly encourage you to fill out the application for an absentee when you receive it or call the office to request an absentee ballot at 347-3131.”

REGISTERING TO VOTE

Anyone wishing to register to vote can download the from the county website. The courthouse is open and people can register in person, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

You will need to bring your Wyoming driver’s license Social Security number and another form of ID. Persons must be 18 years of age on election day; be a U.S. citizen; and be a resident of Wyoming and the precinct in which you register.

Strauch also asked residents who have had an address change since the last election to contact her office to update their voting record.

Anyone with questions about absentee voting or registering to vote, is asked to contact the clerk’s office at 347-3131.